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ANNUAL REPORT2017THE ADULT RECREATIONAL CHOIR SOCIETY OF CALGARY ( ARCS)

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YEAR IN REVIEW1

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Sometime in 2003, the world changed. The thrill of discovery and the fragrance of possibility swept through the air. Doubters and detractors – the enemy of the daring – stepped aside as a throng of enthusiastic men and women grabbed their octavos, raised them high, and declared Alberta Bible College their ‘turf’.

The unbridled optimism shared by these explorers propelled them forward into the unknown. They had the courage of their convictions, they were amongst friends, and they knew that theirs was a worthy, if not noble, mission. “… Awakening, nurturing and sharing the magic of voices in harmony” was their rallying cry.

Whether or not they’d bitten off more than they could chew is irrelevant…the naïve pioneers set their sights on settling a new territory. This was a land of accessibility and inclusiveness, with the freedom to explore whatever they dared. It is somehow fitting that they chose as their theme in that first season “New York! New York!” – a city that once symbolized a new age of optimism and hope for the future.

To mark any milestone gives one pause to reflect and pay homage to those who paved the way for all who came after. There are many who, over the last decade and a half, rolled up their sleeves and faced the challenges that any fledgling organization faces. Remember that once there was nothing in the space that is now the Adult Recreational Choir Society.

The following lyric from “Candide”, penned by Leonard Bernstein in the beloved song “Make Our Garden Grow” might aptly describe the task:

Let dreamers dreamWhat worlds they pleaseThose Edens can’t be found.The sweetest flowers,The fairest treesAre grown in solid ground.

Indeed, without the courage of our convictions and the stamina to see a vision become a reality, ARCS would not be celebrating a 15th

Anniversary. Instead, our garden has grown and grown and grown into a lush and rejuvenating landscape planted on a solid foundation. Many gardeners tilled that soil and planted seeds that sprout today.

Coinciding with Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation, ARCS marked its own 15th Anniversary with a celebration of community – “O Canada! My Home”. Acknowledging our ancestors and those who came before us, we paid tribute to the indigenous peoples of this land: “The earth is our mother, we must take care of her.” We sang of our beloved home: “Banish thoughts of leaving, home I’ll be.” We rallied for a better tomorrow: “Give me eyes that can see it, give me ears that can hear” in the song “Come Together Now”. We paid tribute to our peacekeepers and soldiers: “We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields.” And above all, we sang, with the magic of voices in harmony, Canada’s second national anthem, “This is My Home”.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With all the achievements, accomplishments and points of pride we celebrate, there is an army of men and women who have picked up their spades and lent their time and talents to helping our garden grow.

A heartfelt thank you to all the men and women who call ARCS “home”. Your constant encouragement, enthusiasm and love of music continue to spur us on to greater heights.

Happy 15th ARCS!

Respectfully submitted,

Brian Bowman Artistic Director

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This year’s theme of “O Canada! My Home” inspired and moved singers and audience members alike. Our productions continue to “wow” thanks to the collaborative and creative efforts of our Artistic Team and production partners, Daniels Audio Engineering and Orange Frog Productions.

THE ARCS 2016-17 SEASON

Over 2500 Calgarians enjoyed an ARCS performance over the past season at the following productions:

• “Something Christmas” – 3 performances

• The ARCS Talent Show & Silent Auction• ChoralFest• “O Canada! My Home” Season Finale –

3 performances• And numerous community

performances

2016-2017 PERFORMANCES

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PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

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From the more relaxed sharing of the Lite choirs to the sometimes hectic pace of the performing choirs, we have all enjoyed a year of sharing the magic of voices in harmony once again.

A wonderful synergy took place this year with the honouring of Canada’s 150th anniversary as a nation, and ARCS’ 15th season as an organization. Our weekly rehearsals, periodic workshops, annual retreats, and seasonal performances were all opportunities to create and celebrate this rich (and talented!) community we have built through singing.

The “Something Christmas” shows rang in the festive season with a spirit of peace and joy in the beautiful setting of Riverpark Church filled with over 1300 total audience members. The Up2Something and She’s Up2Something retreats were a great opportunity for members to learn (from clinician Jean-Louis Bleau), connect and, of course, party! The annual Talent Show and Silent Auction highlighted the talents of over 50 members and raised over $8000 for ARCS. The final stage production of “O Canada! My Home” was a poignant and brilliant tribute to our beautiful land and all its people, and singing “O Canada” with over 1000 Calgarians that weekend was truly something magical. Our sincere thanks go out to our fabulous artistic team, and production, costuming, and logistic teams and the many, many volunteers who work together to ensure our success and make us look and sound good on stage.

At the leadership level, we have thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful partnership; so much so we decided to write this report together! It has been our privilege to work closely with Artistic Director, Brian Bowman, and several choir members from our various programmes on the Board.

As your leadership team of senior managers and the Board of Directors, our primary role has been to provide fiscal oversight and governance for the organization. We have continued work on the 2015-18 Strategic Plan and have completed much of the groundwork to ensure a succession plan for

our key roles. Our committees have done stellar work on important areas of the organization:

• Human Resources - produced an impressive HR Policy Document which we will continue to edit and refine as our organization grows and changes.

• Risk Management - completed and updated an organization-wide Risk Assessment.

• Finance – also developed a thorough Policy and Procedures Document.

• Governance – completed a gap analysis of board policies and led the update (and subsequent approval process) of our by-laws.

Other areas your board has worked on:• exploring what growth and capacity means;• supporting the purchase of additional

choral risers to address the congestion and potential risk to members when on stage at Martha Cohen Theatre;

• revising member fees to ensure equity across the choirs;

• fostering ARCS culture, reflected in representation from all choirs at the Board level and the consistent communication to and with all choirs; and

• discussion around keeping our programmes affordable, which includes exploring opportunities for sponsorships for our performances and other fundraising ideas to augment our revenues.

Thank you to all the dedicated, knowledgeable and talented individuals for sharing your expertise with and for our organization, and for helping us work toward accomplishing the goals we had set as a Board. It is with great pleasure and confidence that Venita hands over the role of President to the fabulous Christene Gordon (Up2Christmas and She’s Up2Something). Together with some returning and some new Directors, she will lead and guide us through a “Revolution”-ary season!

Venita Ramanna, President (Up2Something)Robyn Jackson, Executive Director

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The exceptional program ARCS offers is most certainly a team effort. Our Choir Directors are excellent leaders and talents in their own right. Our Accompaniment is stellar.

In 2016-17, talent from within our choirs assumed leadership of our ARCS “choralography”, which culminated in our stunning season finale in June.

2016-2017 ARTISTIC TEAM

Brian Bowman | ARCS Artistic Director, Director - Up2SomethingMichelle Kotelko | ARCS Assistant Artistic Director, Director - She’s Up2Something & Up2Christmas Lorne Pankratz | Director Something Lite, Principal Accompanist Reema Fanning | Principal ChoreographerCarol Cook | ChoreographerFaye White | Accompanist, Something LiteJean-Louis Bleau | Retreat ClinicianTorrance Airhart | Retreat Clinician

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

Chris Daniels | Daniels Audio Engineering and ProductionPierre Marleau | Orange Frog Productions David Buhler | Buhler’s World PhotographyLogan White | Popeye Media

ARTISTIC TEAM

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Much goes on behind the scenes to make ARCS work. Things like marketing and communications, volunteer coordination, venue management, governance, box office, and music library organization all contribute to a healthy and effective organization.

We are lucky to have a committed team of professionals to handle these important aspects!

2016-2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Venita Ramanna (Up2Something) - President Christene Gordon (Up2Christmas/She’s Up2Something) - Vice President Cathy Cush (Up2Christmas/She’s Up2Something) - Secretary Roxanne Steen (Something Lite) - Treasurer Anne Edison (Something Lite)Marni Fieldberg (Up2Christmas/She’s Up2Something)Sara Munkittrick (Up2Christmas/She’s Up2Something)Carleen Smith (Up2Something)

2016-2017 ADMINISTRATION TEAM

Robyn Jackson - Executive DirectorCandace Dart - Business Manager Reema Fanning - Program & Communications Coordinator Flossie Hutchins - Music & Properties Coordinator

LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION

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2016-2017 PRODUCTION TEAM

Joanne Todesco | Chair & Costume ManagerBrian Bowman | ARCS Artistic Director & Up2Something DirectorReema Fanning | Principal Choreographer & Program and Communications CoordinatorMichelle Kotelko | ARCS Assistant Artistic Director, She’s and Up2Christmas Director, & Talent Show Representative Sharon Stiles | Production Manager Phyllis Kimpton | Choir Coordinator, She’s and Up2Christmas Susan Douglas | Choir Coordinator, Up2SomethingFlossie Hutchins (corresponding) | Choir Coordinator, Something LiteSheldon Baranec | Props and Sets Manager Rae Wyshynski | Recorder and Creative Sandbox LeadPeter Wolf | Logistics ManagerRainer Oebels | Member at LargeVicki Graham | Member at Large

PRODUCTION TEAM

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TREASURER’S REPORT4

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTSFifteen years and still going strong! ARCS has remained resilient despite the continuing economic downturn in Calgary. Membership held steady in all performing choirs while seeing a small decline in Something Lite. The Christmas and Year End productions had sold out performances and our Talent Show & Silent Auction was another great success.

The cost of operating our choirs and organization is supported through all our revenue streams. Our core funding comes from our membership fees and casino funds. Donations, fundraising and smaller grants provide core mission support. This is rounded out by grants from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts & Calgary Arts Development Authority. Performance revenue reflects the Christmas & Year End shows. Direct choir expenses include artistic team fees and music & facility costs, while core mission

support incorporates a wide range of costs in running our back end. As we experience increased costs in supporting our wonderful artistic & administrative teams so too are we seeing higher expenses with our performance venues. Thus, costs for performance facility & front-end labour continue to increase.

Thanks to all for a wonderful 15th season. I’m proud to be part of this great organization and work with a wonderful committee and Board.

Cheers,

Roxanne Steen Treasurer, ARCS

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Each year, thousands of hours of time and talent are given – and greatly appreciated!

ARCS VOLUNTEER CREW

TALENT SHOWStella Arcega

Jennifer BaranaboffGarth Blais

Brian BowmanLaurie-Anne Bulmer

Sandra BurkeTerry ChangCarol CookCathy Cush

Marcie DupuisReema FanningTom GallagharDonna Gareau

Edgardo GiaconeJames Goodman 

Mona HooperRobyn JacksonLivia Jackson

Dennis Johnston Phyllis KimptonMichelle Kotelko

Keith KotelkoAileen LajoieMJ MacLeodEd MarchandArt McCarthy

Jil McMahon BazantLeslie McMechan 

Marina MilenkovicsRainer Oebels

Megan PatersonChristian Perotti 

Lyndia PetersTammy Postma

Sharon StilesJoanne TodescoSuzanne Ware

Peter WolfDavid Wood

SOMETHING CHRISTMASSheldon Baranec 

Garth Blais Terry Chang 

Annabelle DickBruce Forbes 

Tom Gallagher Edgardo Giacone James Goodman 

Laurence Gosselin Flossie HutchinsDennis Johnston 

Keith KotelkoLiz Long

Tony Lynch Ruth Malus

Art McCarthy Claudia McKinnonChantal Meloche

Shelley MilutinovicJoanne Parker

Christian Perotti Danielle Reeves

Iris SadownikTina SinclairClaire Smith

Roxanne SteenSharon Stiles

Maggie StuderBrent Tucker

Mairead TwomeyLori Van der Linden

Peter WolfDavid Wood 

HOSPITALITYCindy AbboudSharon AdamsLori Arnason

Jenniffer BarabonoffSheldon Baranec

Diana Batten

Helen BeingessnerCathleen Bloxham

Jay BlueSarah BrandleyBeth BrookwellMichele Buhler

Laurie-Anne BulmerSandra Burke

Theresa CarolanLisette ClarkeJan Clarson

Vici CoxPamela Cullen

Cathy CushMarcie DupuisFrances Edgar

Reema FanningMarni Fieldberg

Ann Marie FitzGeraldCarole FoleyBruce Forbes

Louise ForsythLouise FosterTom GallagherDonna Gareau

Reg GerlitzCatherine GerritsJames GoodmanChristene GordonJennifer Gordon

Laurence GosselinVicki GrahamLinda Hartley

Nurina HembroffLisa Hildebrande

Mona HooperSarah Hughes

Flossie HutchinsRobyn JacksonLivia JacksonLisa Joseph

Michelle Kaye

Phyllis KimptonJanice Kinch

Nancy KinnearBitten Ko

Rea KowalBarb Kroetsch

Angela LeszkowiczLydia Marshall-Browne

Paige MartinArthur McCarthyKate McCashinBarb McGowanKarli McMahonLiz McManusHeather Moon

Maureen MoranJudith MurphyLisa NewsomeRainer Oebels

Olga OpotchanovaJo-Anne Parks

Laura ParksChantal Penny

Christian PerottiLyndia PetersNiki Phillips

Michelle PieriniSloan Pipella-Clark

Jasmin PoonBrenda Preston

Joan PriceAshley Rawluk

Mary Anne ReadwinSusan Reed

Shari RobertsHelen RossRachel Ryan

Iris SadownikMargaret Santarossa

Kim SarjeantVictoria SmithElspeth Snow

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Terri SorensenTerry StankievechMirella Stevenson

Karen StickslSharon StilesElena Stone

Julie SwansonMolly Taylor

Jessica TerpstraPatricia Thom

Melanee ThomasVeronique Tomlinson

Chris TuckerMary Turcato

Lynn WattMarg Watt

Trish WeatherupMaureen Whitworth

Zena Wilberham-MafricaLinda Wiggins

Sheila WohlgemuthPeter Wolf

YEAR END SHOWCheryl AitkensStella Arcega

Brent ‘Doc’ BrinkmannLana Bullough

Pam CullenBrian Eger

Debbie GoodmanVicki GrahamAshley Halas

Pat HalasFlorence Hutchins

Robyn JacksonPhyllis Kimpton

Keith KotelkoAileen LajoieSue Markus

Rainer OebelsTammy Lynne Postma

Sherene SchmidtlerCarleen SmithSharon Stiles

Tori StilesDeb Sutton

Michael ThomsJoanne Todesco

Peter Wolf

MUSIC LIBRARYCheryl Aitkens

Jan Clarson Cathy Cush

Susan DouglasChristene Gordon

Sandi HalasPhyllis Kimpton

Nancy KinnearBitten Ko

Keith KotelkoJasmin PoonIris Sadownik

Terry StankievechKaren Sticksl

Pat ThomLynn Watt

Natalia Wojtyk

PRODUCTIONElizabeth AitkenCheryl AitkensStella Arcega

Garth BlaisBrian BowmanLana Bullough

Carol CookPamela CullenJack Dickson

Reema FanningDebbie Goodman

Vicki GrahamGinny Hughes

Florence HutchinsPhyllis Kimpton

Keith KotelkoMichelle Kotelko

Aileen LajoieSue Markus

Rainer OebelsMegan PatersonTammy Postma

Sherene SchmidtlerCarleen SmithMichael SmithSharon Stiles

Joanne TodescoTrish Weatherup

Peter Wolf

RETREATSSheldon Baranec

Helen BeingessnerBeth BrookwellPamela Cullen

Cathy CushJames GoodmanDebbie GoodmanPhyllis Kimpton

Keith KotelkoLiz McManusToni McMillanRainer Oebels

Trish WeatherupPeter Wolf

COSTUMINGStella ArcegaPamela Cullen

Debbie GoodmanBitten Ko

Aileen LajoieJoanne Todesco

CASINO, WORKSHOPS, ETCElizabeth AitkenCheryl AitkensStella ArcegaLori Arnason

Jenniffer BarabonoffHelen Beingessner

Garth Blais Cathleen Bloxham

Jay BlueSarah BrandleyBeth BrookwellLana Bullough

Theresa CarolanJan Clarson

Pamela CullenCathy Cush

Annabelle DickJack Dickson

Susan DouglasFrances EdgarAnne Edison

Marni FieldbergLouise Forsyth

Christene GordonNurina HembroffFlossie Hutchins

Livia JacksonLisa Joseph

Phyllis KimptonJanice Kinch

Nancy KinnearBitten Ko

Keith KotelkoRea Kowal

Angela LeszkowiczSue Markus

Lydia Marshall-BrowneBarb McGowan

Leslie McMechanHeather Moon

Maureen MoranMarianne Murphy

Jo-Anne ParksMegan Paterson

Lyndia PetersSloan Pipella-Clark

Jasmin PoonTammy Postma

Joan PriceSusan Reed

Rachel RyanIris Sadownik

Margaret SantarossaMichael SmithElspeth Snow

Terri SorensenTerry Stankievech

Roxanne SteenMirella Stevenson

Karen StickslElena Stone

Julie SwansonJessica Terpstra

Patricia ThomMelanee ThomasJoanne Todesco

Chris TuckerMary Jane TurcatoLori Van der Linden

Lynn WattTrish Weatherup

Maureen WhitworthZena Wilbraham-Mafrica

Sheila WohlgemuthPeter Wolf

ARCS BOARD SUPPORTReg Gerlitz

Human Resources Committee and Risk Management

CommitteeTony Lynch

Risk Management Committee Shari Roberts

Human Resources Committee David Wood

Governance Committee

ARCS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

David & Michele BuhlerPhotography & Videography

Olga Opotchanova Policy ManualCarleen Smith Graphic Design

Trish WeatherupMarketing

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The generosity of our community and support from our funders keeps ARCS singing!

Thank you for your generous support!

GRANTS PROVIDING VITAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OUR PROGRAMS

ALBERTA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTSALBERTA LOTTERY FUND

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES PROGRAMCALGARY ARTS DEVELOPMENT

CITY OF CALGARY

ARCS GENERAL FUND SUPPORTING OUR ONGOING OPERATING NEEDS Lore AhlstromVirginia Alfaro

Helen BeingessnerBrian BowmanLynn Burrowes

Jan ClarsonJudy Fung

James & Debbie GoodmanChristene Gordon

Ali HendersonRobyn JacksonPhyllis Kimpton

Bernice Love

Clare MalcolmGreg McCleary

Leslie McMechanMarianne Murphy

Tammy Lynn PostmaVenita RamannaLucinda Sheldon

Michael SmithElspeth Snow

Dereka ThibaultDave Thomas

Lynn Watt

ARCS SUPPORTERS SUPPLYING GIFTS OF SERVICES, FACILITIES & PRODUCTS

Access StorageAlberta Bible College

Altadore Baptist ChurchBill Warren Centre

Cardel TheatreCBC Sports

Dance Through LifeDaniels Audio Engineering

Holiday Inn CanmoreIron Goat Pub

Larry NickelMill Woods AssemblyNational Film Board

Orange Frog ProductionsPopeye Media

River Park ChurchSt. David’s United Church

The Crossing at Ghost RiverThe NHL

Youth Singers of Calgary

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Please visit our website for up-to-date info on our 2017-2018 season.

www.up2something.org

© 2017 The Adult Recreational Choir Society of Calgary (ARCS) All rights reserved.